Rivera, Del Rosario repeat as BWC national champs

MANILA, Philippines - Banking on their skills and experience, former world FIQ titlist Biboy Rivera and veteran internationalist Liza del Rosario prevailed in the World Cup national championship anew last Thursday at SM North EDSA to earn a shot at the BWC international titles for the second straight year.

Rivera, now 41 years old, produced two sizzling games when he needed them most to subdue youthful ex-Asian Youth Masters king Kenneth Chua, 2-1 (235-179, 194-199, 266-205) in the men’s division, while Del Rosario, 37, also bowled two hot games to down Alexis Sy, 2-1 (238-215, 187-213, 245-197) in the ladies’ competition.

Rivera and Del Rosario, who both finished fourth in the BWC international finals in Wroclaw, Poland last year, vowed to bring home the bacon this time when they compete against other champions from more than 60 countries at Sam’s Town in Las Vegas, Nevada Nov.  13-20, this year.

Rivera and Del Rosario, considered as one of Asia’s top lady pintopplers, advanced to the finals by knocking out their respective semifinal rivals.

Rivera, who came in second after the eight-game position round with 7280, behind Chua’s 7498, ousted Benshir Layoso, 2-1 (180-162, 181-256, 235-202) while Del Rosario, third after the position round with 5747, behind topnotcher Sy (5856) and Krizziah Tabora (5803), swept Tabora in two games, 195-165, 193-191.

“We’re so happy,” chorushed Biboy and Liza after the concluding matches. “We aim to win the international crown this time. But we need the prayers and support of our countrymen.”

Only four Filipinos – Paeng Nepomuceno, CJ Suarez, Lita dela Rosa and Bong Coo – have won the prestigious World Cup, but Nepomuceno is the only four-time kingpin so far.

Nepomuceno made a bid for the national title, but he landed only fifth with 6751, behind Chua, Rivera, Layoso (6873) and Kevin Cu (6774) but ahead of Nicco Olaivar (6619), Enzo Hernandez (6617) and Carl Matthew Lim (6557).

Former national winner Liza Clutario came in fourth with 5730, followed by Lara Posadas (5725), Anne Marie Kiac (5649), Abbie Gan (5081) and Myrna Bautista (5076).